Tiger Woods to do batle with Phil Mickelson

Tiger Woods has been grouped with world No.2 Phil Mickelson and world No.3 Adam Scott for the first two rounds of next week's US Open.

Tiger Woods has been grouped with world No.2 Phil Mickelson and world No.3 Adam Scott for the first two rounds of next week's US Open.

And Luke Donald, Paul Casey and Ian Poulter will also play together in an all-British threesome at Torrey Pines in California.

Woods, who grew up in Orange County, is hot favourite to claim his 14th Major despite not playing a competitive round since undergoing knee surgery two days after the Masters in April.

He played 17 holes on the South Course along with coach Hank Haney on Wednesday but needed a golf cart.

"It went well," Haney said. "He hit the ball really well. It was definitely a positive day." Woods has won the Buick Invitational on the South Course for the past four years - and six times in all. Mickelson, who lives in nearby Santa Fe, has won three times.

Haney warned the putting surfaces were lightning quick.

"The greens were so fast," he said. "In 30 years of being on tour and teaching players, that was the fastest."